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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • apiahbadoo@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Apiah Badoo <ak.badoo7@msn.com>
Reply-To: <apiah.badoo1@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 14:05:00 +0000
Subject: RE: Reply



RE: Reply
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.
Accra,Ghana-west Africa
Email: apiahbadoo@yahoo.com
Attention:sir/Ma,

I am (A. K. L Badoo) Director of Administration in the above mentioned Corporation.
My primary assignment in the corporation is to award contracts that have been approved by the Government. In the course of awarding these contracts for the prefabrication/ refurbishment of the nation refinery,The contract which was awarded to an expatriate was inflated to the tune of $13,700,000.00 USD.I am seeking your indulgence and assistance in having this amount remitted to your account for investment purposes. There is absolutely no liability on your part.We have resolved to compensate you with 27% commission for your assistance in having this fund transferred to your account for investment purposes.This transaction is being executed with the blessing of Executives in government and in the Oil ministry.More details will be forwarded to you, should I receive a positive response from you.
Looking forward to having a healthy and lucrative business relationship with you.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated corporation.

Yours Sincerely,
Director,A. K. L Badoo,
(GNPC)Accra Ghana http://www.gnpcghana.com/aboutus/management.asp

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam